Rousseau

McCrorie did seem reluctant to pass forward, but were there passes on? I was frustrated at our #8s not quite making themselves available; they need to find space in between the lines -- and that would help CBs find them too.

I agree, kind of, but in what way? Was it when things he did didn't come off for him, or are you using the 'anonymous' tag? I get both, to be fair; there are times when he drifts out of games, and certainly last night, things things didn't come off. Yes, I think he's been played in every position along the front, and a couple further back too! Perhaps not, but I don't think we need to. It think he can be a good 'icing-on-the-cake' -type of player. He needs better creativity, but that would suit everyone. He's certainly enigmatic, but I'd be the opposite, trying to get him into the team.

Middleton is a natural winger, whereas Murphy isn't -- he started his career at Motherwell as a forward, only being converted to a LM later. I like the idea of Middleton stretching play on the left, with Tavernier stretching play on the Right, with a Right-winger coming inside to help Morelos. Sadiq could do that, or Windass (I WILL FIT HIM IN! ).

I thought he played well last night, in an inside-forward role: he did cross the ball a few times -- he beat his man a couple of times too, but lost a few one-on-ones against that LB, who was just quicker --, admittedly not coming off, and he did get on the end of a few chances (two sitters, for me). He also got stuck in defensively too. You make a good point about him playing in away games. I think he'd be better with some creativity behind him. Relying on him to create is not the way to go. Ejaria was the only 'creative' -type, who came on for Windass (I think?). I still don't think he's used properly; we're (the fans) almost trying to shoe-horn him into different roles, but he doesn't quite fit any.

I wasn't, I said 'partly'. We're lacking sharpness, but with the same players I can see improvements, or at least new ways of playing. It was a tolerable performance, but not great; I expect to see further, significant, improvements.

It was quite comfortable. Defensively we were solid, and there's a big improvement in the gaps between players/lines, and the CBs pushing up to cut off passes. We pressed and recovered the ball quite quickly, generally. It was lacking in quality in the final third. It was disappointing, even though we created several glorious chances, and flat. We need more creativity. The positioning of the #8 has to improve: they have to find space in the channels, between the lines; and, crucially, the CBs and McCrorie have to find them with line-splitting passes. Too often it went wide, which played into their hands. I would expect to see that improve with coaching.

Probably. Partly. Yes. Yes.

He didn't, it was a 4-3-3.

We weren't really playing with a #10 -- it was 2 #8s. Windass was playing Right-Wing. I thought he was good; he's a threat up front -- missing two sitters, for me -- Headers as well!? I like the idea of Murphy playing on his natural side, with Middleton -- who was superb -- on the other, but I think SG likes a narrow front three, so they're always going to be coming inside. We need the width from the Full-backs. Flanagan was quite narrow, which is strong defensively, but doesn't give us that width. We need an Ejaria, or someone central, to go from central to wide.

I did hear Rule Britannia a few times. It's not offensive, but-- Oh...

Kenny Miller, though...

@craig seeing Kevin Thomson on BT sports like...

Yes, even someone like Rudden. We have no cover at all.

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I think It'll be the same as the friendly: Shagger Tav - Goldson - Katic - Flanagan Candeias - McCrorie - Arfield Windass - Morelos - Murphy I'm intrigued, but not sure about Candeias and Windass' positioning, but that's how they lined up against Bury.

@craig -- I actually thought Alli looked shattered. They both had too much work to do in that three. I agree, two of them were not quite needed. Trippier did well, and was not playing badly, I was just thinking about how you'd get another man in midfield (See above stills); it sounds an easy player to drop because they have another RB behind him. If they brought on another LM, going to a 4-4-2, they would've been better equipped: Walker - Maguire - Stones - Young (although he looked shattered too and didn't play well) Lingard - Henderson - Alli - AN Other (struggling to think of their bench) Kane - Stirling. Or, keep what they had, but bring Stirling back and wide to make a 5-4-1 -- but then you sacrifice his pace in behind. It's a puzzler.

First half, sure; which was when they played well. Second half they were pinned back. This was actually a still from the first half -- which was only the case for small moments -- but the second half, this was a common pattern: And, this was from the Second half:

I'm buzzing for this one!

*changes prediction*

Thanks, I actually enjoy it; it's a good bit of fun. That's a lovely gesture. I'll leave it up to you. You might want to reconsider when I rob you of first place...

Bloody hell, no prisoners from @craig in this "game"... brutal.

No, they were pinned back making a back-five. The pictures show pretty much a line of 5 with 3 in front. And then, of course, Stirling and Kane weren't really helping out. Yes, they sat off them too much. I would've sacrificed Trappier -- good player but Walker could move out to RB -- for a wide midfielder; Or sub in a LB, moving Young further up to play LM. I agree with the rest.

I think Mohammadi is more a winger type that can play Left-back, rather than being a Left-back. Technically, Flanagan is a Right-back. At this early stage, I think he is ahead of DJ, though.

Yes, the Third Place Play-off.